Page 15 of Phase Two

After my workout, I got in the car to head home and take a shower. Mentally, I became lost with planning out the next few days and going over everything I had to do. My music stopped, and Alise’s name appeared on the screen.

“What’s up Gorgeous?”

“What’s gorgeous are the flowers you sent me. Thank you. They put a smile on my face.”

“That was the goal. What you up to?”

“I just left my Airbnb and came home to change for my Pilates class. The delivery guy literally pulled in right behind me. The flowers were a very nice surprise. My house is going to look like a flower shop soon.”

“See? Intentional.”

“Very intentional,” she laughed. “I hope you’re having a good day.”

“I am. Just left the gym about to head home and take a shower. What’s for dinner?”

“I’ll probably grab something after my Pilates class. It’s in a little plaza that has a few different restaurants and takeout spots.”

“Meet me after, and we can grab something to eat. Text me the address, so I can already be in the area.”

“Okay. The class ends at 7:30.”

“Bet.”

I talked to Alise until I got home then went straight to the shower. Shani was asleep, and the home health aide was scrolling through her phone. She was a younger black woman maybe in her mid-thirties and every time she saw me, she eyed me like I was a piece of steak. I was past the point of fucking anything with a pulse. Shorty wasn’t bad looking at all, but I simply wasn’t interested.

After my shower, I drank a protein shake and went over some work emails before it was time to go meet Alise. We decided to meet in front of a chicken spot and as I approached, she was already waiting. That damn pixie cut had my dick jumping. The pale purple leggings and matching fitted jacket she wore had her curves on display. One thing I learned in couple’s yoga was that shorty was flexible as fuck. I loved that she moved her body and stretched. It would help her endure what I had planned for her ass in the bedroom once this fast was over.

Alise smiled bashfully as I approached her. I felt we were at the point of hugs, so I hugged her. Tight. Tight as fuck. I even placed a kiss on her forehead while inhaling that signature peach scent that always lingered around her.

“You’ve inspired me,” she stated after we placed our orders and found a booth to sit in.

“Oh yeah?”

Alise nodded. “I think I’m going to do the seventy-five hard challenge. I always used to see it, but I would come up with reasons not to participate like oh I’m going on vacation, and I’m going to be drinking and not eating healthy. Damn sure not gonna be exercising on vacation. But I’m going to commit to doing it.”

“That’s what’s up. Health is wealth. We aren’t getting any younger.”

“Not at all.”

We talked and ate. Alise showed me pictures of her daughter, and I did the same. I told her that I was actually going to visit my son the following weekend. When we were done eating, I walked her to her car and gave her another hug but that time, I took it a step further. I lowered my head and placed a soft kiss on her lips. The kind that lingered a bit. I kissed her a second time, but I let my tongue part her lips. Right in the parking lot, we kissed slow, but deep. My erection felt like it was trying to burst through my jeans, and I pulled back.

“Bad influence,” I mumbled staring at her.

“You kissed me,” she giggled.

I opened the car door, waited for her to put her seatbelt on, and closed the door. Got damn thirty days.

CHAPTER 7

ALISE

“Shorty why have you not changed the battery in that smoke detector?” Carter asked making me laugh. We had been on the phone for five minutes, and it was obviously annoying him the same way it annoyed me.

“Because one of the disadvantages of ridiculously high ceilings is that I can’t change it without a ladder, and I keep forgetting to get one. Actually, the kind that I need probably won’t even fit in my car. I have to figure something out.”

“Nah, you don’t have to figure anything out. I got you as soon as I get back in town.”

“Ouuu out of town. Where are you headed?”